Barath keen for CLT20 success

Georgetown, Guyana - The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force are back together for one last Twenty20 campaign: the Champions League T20 (CLT20) in India.

And although that tournament is a few weeks away, they start their journey tonight when they take on Guyana in a practice match at Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

It will be the first of two games in Guyana for Denesh Ramdin’s team and the first match for the Red Force since they were split up for the month-long Limacol Caribbean Premier League T20 (CPLT20), which ended in Trinidad last Saturday.

Opening batsman Adrian Barath, who represented the T&T Red Steel in the CPLT20, highlighted the importance of the practice matches.

“It is always a privilege representing Trinidad and Tobago and obviously these two games will be very important for the preparation of the team,” he told the media before leaving for Guyana, yesterday.

“As a team, and for myself, we will be looking to make use of the preparation games and try and play as a team and this should do us well for the tournament,” he added.

The opening batsman wants to play a pivotal role if he makes the cut and is included in the Champions League squad.

The team has not been released yet, but the Champions League is set to bowl off on September 17 with the qualifying stage. T&T are into the main competition which bowls off four days later.

“I will be looking to play my game, try and bat through the innings and try and get the team into good positions as much as possible,” said Barath.

“We have a good team. We have a good combination of guys and as we all know the Red Force is a very strong team and we just to need to play as a team, play our roles as individuals and that should help us as a team.”

The right-hander said the CPLT20 helped him raise his game.

“I think the tournament was an OK tournament for me. I got some consistent scores. I played my part as opening batsmen, batting through the power play and doing the job for the team. I will be looking to do the same (for the Red Force).”